Intelsat 20 launched

Intelsat S.A has announced that an Ariane 5 V208 launch vehicle successfully launched the Intelsat 20 satellite from Kourou, French Guiana.

Built by Space Systems/Loral, Intelsat 20 will provide C-band and Ku-band for DTH television, cellular backhaul and VSAT services. The Intelsat 20 video neighborhood provides premium programming that is carried by the top Indian cable MSOs and DTH operators, reaching more than an estimated 90 million Pay-TV subscribers across India. Intelsat 20 also hosts the largest DTH platform in Africa.

Once operational in September, Intelsat 20 will replace Intelsat 7 and Intelsat 10 at 68.5° East, and is expected to have a service life of more than 18 years.

"With C-band coverage over four continents and four regionally focused Ku-band beams, Intelsat 20 provides enhanced replacement capacity for our prime video neighborhood at 68.5° East for DTH and distribution services," said Intelsat CEO David McGlade.

Intelsat 20 is the third of five launches planned for 2012. Intelsat 21 and Intelsat 23 are also scheduled for launch in the third quarter.